Kirby Smart Reacts to Major Change Coming to SEC After 2026 Season

The SEC announced on Monday that the annual SEC Championship Game, held on December 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, will be the last of its kind after a 35-year run. This decision follows the College Football Playoff management committee's unanimous approval of a new 24-team playoff set to begin in the 2027-28 season. The expansion, supported by a new media rights deal with ESPN worth $1.7 billion, will provide the network with all 23 games in the new format. As a result, conference championship games will no longer exist.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey had previously stated that current contracts would keep the game in Atlanta until 2031, but the playoff changes have altered that timetable. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was asked about the announcement and offered little in the way of reaction, stating, "We all kind of knew what was coming once the new 24-team playoff was proposed." Smart emphasized that the historic game has been beneficial for players, programs, and fans, praising the venue's incredible location.

The SEC Championship Game, first held in 1992 at Legion Field in Birmingham, has been a significant event for 14 SEC teams that have claimed national championships. Kirby Smart is the only active SEC coach to have won the game, and Georgia has achieved four victories under his leadership, including in 2017, 2022, 2024, and last year's 28-7 win over Alabama. Currently, Georgia's Bulldogs are 8-1 this season and ranked No. 1 in the latest AP poll, positioning them well to return to the game this year.

While the loss of the tradition-rich championship game is a source of frustration for many fans, the 24-team playoff structure has been met with mixed reactions. Some argue that it dilutes the regular season, creating more mismatches and placing undue strain on players. Nick Saban has even suggested that the bottom line for the sport is money. However, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, along with others, has preferred a 16-team field instead of the 24-team expansion.